Fusion Mineral Paint Review

Have you been struggling to find the right paint that will give you a durable, long lasting finish? I get it – it’s so important to use a high quality one for your DIY projects! That’s why I wanted to share my honest Fusion Mineral Paint review with you all today. If you’re interested in more options, check out our post on types of paint for furniture.

With over 65 colors to choose from, it’s easy to use, durable, and has a beautiful matte finish. Keep reading to learn more about its pros and cons, how to use it, and my personal experience with it!

green dresser with text overlay
See the details of this makeover in our DIY fluted dresser makeover post.

High quality paint not only provides a beautiful finish, but it also guarantees that your project will stand the test of time. I’ve tried and tested many different types, and I can confidently say that Fusion Mineral is one of the best on the market.

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With its easy to use formula and wide range of colors, it’s no wonder that it has become a popular choice among DIYers. But if you’ve never tried it before, you’ll want to know what sets it apart from other options available.

So, let’s dive into our Fusion Mineral Paint review, including the good, bad, and maybe even the things you didn’t think about before.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

What is Fusion Mineral Paint?

So, what exactly is Fusion Mineral Paint? It’s high quality, waterbased, and is specifically designed for furniture makeovers.

Coal Black color

Unlike other options, it does not require a topcoat (although you can add one for extra durability), which saves you time and money. And I’m a stickler with paints being durable! Most of them don’t pass my test of durability without having a topcoat with it.

It’s also incredibly easy to use – you can apply it with a brush, roller, or even a sprayer. Here’s our list of the best paint brushes for painting furniture, and the best rollers for painting furniture. Here’s our list of the best HVLP paint sprayers for furniture as well!

What to Expect with Fusion Mineral Paint

Let’s take a closer look at some of the characteristics that make it such a great choice!

First up, consistency. One of the things I love about this is that it has just the right consistency – not too thick, and not too thin.

pouring paint into the sprayer with filter

This means you don’t have to worry about leaving globs of paint behind or being stuck with drips when applying it.

Next, coverage. It covers incredibly well, which means you don’t have to apply many coats to get the coverage you need. Most colors require just two coats to get complete coverage, which saves you time and money.

applying paint with a brush
See this full makeover in our painting IKEA furniture post.

Now, let’s talk about durability. It is incredibly durable on its own – no topcoat needed! Of course, you can add one if you want extra durability, but it’s not necessary. Here’s our list of best all-in-one paints for furniture for more similar options.

It dries quickly and to a hard finish that is resistant to chips, scratches, and fading. In fact, it’s better than chalk paint and most other furniture paints on the market.

scratch test of new finish after drying

Finally, let’s discuss the finish. Fusion Mineral dries to a beautiful matte finish. However, if you’re like me and prefer a bit more sheen or want to make your piece easier to clean, you can apply a waterbased polyurethane topcoat over it.

Check out my comparison between Fusion Mineral Paint VS Heirloom Traditions Paint here if you’re considering these two.

How to Use Fusion Mineral Paint

Now that we’ve covered that, let’s dive into how to apply it for the best results. Before you get started, make sure that your piece is clean and dry. Here is what you need to know about cleaning before painting furniture.

Remove any hardware to make it easier to work on the piece. Then, for best results, lightly sand the surface of your piece with 220 grit sandpaper to help the paint stick. Sanding will also smooth any rough spots.

Does Fusion Mineral Paint need primer?

If your furniture is really slick, then you’ll need to prime to help this paint stick. I recommend using BIN Shellac Primer or clear shellac, even if your piece isn’t super slick. Both of these will help with adhesion, and they will also block bleedthrough. Here’s more on how to stop stains from coming through the paint.

rolling on primer
See this makeover in our painted hallway cabinet makeover post.

If you are working with a super slick surface like in IKEA pieces, you’ll definitely need to use BIN Shellac Primer or STIX Primer. Here’s more about painting IKEA furniture and what to expect.

Once your surface is prepped, it’s time to apply it. You can use a brush, roller, or even a sprayer – it’s incredibly versatile!

I personally prefer using a high quality brush, like a Staalmeester brush. The brush helps to create a smooth finish without leaving any brush marks. Or I really like to spray it with my Wagner FLEXiO 3500/595. Here’s spraying Fusion Mineral Paint for more tips and tricks.

Check out my honest Wagner 3500 paint sprayer review to learn about its features, pros, and cons. Here’s my guide on how to use Wagner FLEXiO 3500 to make the most out of this tool.

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When applying it, be sure to use a little paint at a time and make even strokes. It’s better to apply multiple thin coats rather than one thick coat. This will help to prevent drips, make the paint more durable, and just make your finish look better.

Most colors only need two coats to get complete coverage, but some may need more depending on the color and the color of your surface.

If you’re using a light color over a black or dark surface, plan to apply 4-5 coats to get full coverage. This is typical with almost every paint. Make sure to let each coat dry completely before applying the next.

One of the best things about Fusion Mineral Paint is that it dries quickly. In fact, it’s dry to the touch in as little as 30 minutes! But it’s important to wait at least 24 hours before using your piece.

If you want to topcoat it to give it more of a shine, you can learn how to apply polycrylic by hand here. Or learn how to spray polyurethane here – do it after the paint has dried for a couple of hours.

Here are some more additional tips and tricks for applying it:

  • Use a damp cloth to clean up any mistakes or drips while the paint is still wet.
  • If you’re looking for a smoother finish, lightly sand the surface with 220 grit or 400 grit sandpaper between coats.
  • If you’re using a darker shade, consider topcoating with an oil based polyurethane to prevent streaking that you can get with waterbased poly over dark colors.

Fusion Mineral Paint Colors

One of the best things about it is its wide color range – with over 65 to choose from, there’s a shade for every style and preference. If you’re looking for a bold pop of color or a classic neutral, this brand has you covered.

Cathedral Taupe and Peony

Let’s start with the neutrals. If you’re looking for a timeless, sophisticated look, then consider colors like Picket Fence (a crisp white), Champlain (a warm beige), or Raw Silk (a creamy off white). These colors are perfect for giving your piece a fresh, updated look that will never go out of style.

If you want to add a bit of color, then there are plenty of options to choose from! Some popular choices include Champness (a soft blue), Inglenook (a calming blue green), and Algonquin (a warm, earthy brown). These are perfect for adding a subtle pop of color to your space without overpowering it.

For those who love bold, statement making shades, consider Cranberry (a deep red), Midnight Blue (a deep, rich blue), or Coral (a bright, cheerful pink). These are perfect for adding a pop of personality to your piece and making a statement in any room. You can check out more bold furniture paint colors here.

Some of my favorites are Bayberry, Homestead Blue, Pressed Fern, Chestler, Winchester, Wellington, Newell, and Cambridge. Check out the 10 best painted furniture colors here for more popular options.

Fusion Mineral Paint Review

Honestly, this is one of my all time favorites! I love the durability, and I love how easy it is to use. Most of all, I LOVE that it comes in so many beautiful colors.

It is a great choice for furniture and other projects that require a long lasting, high quality finish. It has many benefits, including excellent coverage and durability, a wide variety of colors, and an easy application process.

brushing green coat onto wood top

It’s one of the best mineral paint for furniture options and one of the best paints for wood furniture. All in all, it is an excellent choice for furniture, cabinets, and any other project that needs a long lasting finish. I highly recommend it!

Pros

  • Durable and long lasting finish
  • Quick drying time, dry in about 30 minutes to an hour
  • Easy to use! Brush or sprayer can be used for perfect finishes
  • Has great coverage!
  • Wide variety of colors available, from bold and vibrant to classic neutrals
  • Easy clean up – just use a damp cloth before the paint has dried!

Cons

  • More expensive than latex paint, but worth it for high quality results
  • Only available online or through local retailers

If you want a detailed comparison between these two, check out our mineral paint vs chalk paint post here!

Where to Buy Fusion Mineral Paint

Furniture Makeovers with Fusion Mineral Paint

Still on the fence about using it on your next project? Check out these makeovers that I’ve done to see if it’s right for you!

I hope this was helpful! Please let me know if you have any questions that I didn’t cover here! Happy painting!!

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fusion mineral paint color bayberry with text overlay

8 Comments

  1. Renee Kidd says:

    If you are painting furniture that is solid white, is it more economical and is it okay to use an enamel paint like Behr Door and Cabinets?
    I love using the Fusion paint, but it takes a lot do to a whole dining room set.

    1. Yeah enamel paint is great! Then you don’t have to topcoat it, and it is more durable for a dining room set. I haven’t tried Behr door and cabinets, but I know sherwin williams emerald uretahne trim is great!

  2. I’m working with Coal Black and have been struggling with it not laying flat. I’ve used Floetrol and still having problems of brush strokes. Do you have any suggestions? I’m thinking of switching to General Finishes milk paint.
    Thank you

    1. What brush are you using? You have to use a high quality brush like Staalmeester for Fusion to go on without brush marks. General Finishes Milk Paint is easier for a brush free finish!

  3. Hi Nathalie, thanks for this great review! how long do you wait before doing a 2nd coat of fusion after the 1st and how long after the last coat until you topcoat it?
    Also, do you sand down your final coat of paint? thanks

    1. I usually wait 2 hours between coats. It should feel completely dry as well before painting the next coat. For topcoating I also wait at least 2 hours before the last coat has dried before topcoating. It’s never a bad thing to wait 24 hours after the paint dries to topcoat.
      Sometimes I sand it down, other times I don’t. I only sand when I feel like there is too much texture, or if I want it distressed. Best of luck!

  4. Great report on Fusion. Can you speak to blending 2 colors to slightly alter, for example using the Inglenook and lightening it a tad with their white? And can you speak to thinning if necessary for a sprayer? I have read somewhere about Fusion that you should never thin it down. Would just like your opinion.
    Thank you for taking the time to help us newbies out with great videos and instruction.
    Susan

    1. A Ray of Sunlight says:

      Aww thanks so much Susan for that question, so glad that you’re enjoying our videos and instruction. As far as blending two colors of Fusion goes, yes you can do that. We have many many times mixed or blended different paint colors to get a slightly different color. So if you want to use Inglenook and lightening it a little bit with their white color, you can totally do that. I would just start with adding a little tiny bit of white at a time and then mixing it in. Or you can try testing it out in an inconspicuous area or even like a cardboard box just to test things out and see if you like the color once it’s dried up before you mix a bunch of it.

      And as far as thinning goes, yes you can actually do that and we do thin it down. If you look on the back of the can for the manufacturer’s instructions on most furniture paints, a whole lot of them, if not most of them, will tell you that you shouldn’t thin it. But we have learned that thinning it makes it so much better when you’re spraying it with a paint sprayer. It helps it go on way smoother and you can get a much smoother finish while still being very, very durable. You can check out this blog: Spraying Fusion Mineral Paint and this one: Fusion Mineral Paint Review to learn more.

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